Nam Hoo and Santichong villages

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While most of the villages in the Pai Valley are quite modern, a clutch of three adjacent villages to the northwest make for an interesting trip. While they are a key feature of any of Pai’s touted day trips, this makes a good side-trip to do yourself if you have your own scooter.

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Once on your chariot, follow the continuation of Chaisongkran Road past the hospital until it reaches the broad Pai bypass. Here you’ll need to cross over and take the first lane on the right signposted Nam Hoo. Nam Hoo village is an old Shan settlement with an attractive wat that's home to an interesting Buddha image. You’ll see the temple on the left as you enter the village, with a pool and fountain sited in front of the main hall.

Wat Nam Hoo. Photo: Mark Ord

Inside, you’ll find the one metre or so tall bronze image, known as Phra Un-Meuang, said to have been cast by legendary King Naresuan himself around the turn of the 17th century in honour of his sister, who’d been kidnapped by the Burmese. Holy water is rumoured to emerge from the statue’s head and any efforts to move it elsewhere have been met with ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 600 words.)